Chemokines in the diagnosis of neonatal infections

Bacterial infection is a major cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality. The increased susceptibility of the neonate especially premature one, for bacterial infection is the result of several factors including a delayed maturation of immune response of neonatal B and T cells and deficiencies of the myelopoetic system. Chemokines constitute a large family of chemotactic cytokines with proinflammatory action, which are produced by large variety of cells. Although most inflammatory chemoatractants are only induced and released in the circulation during acute infection Large epidemiology studies are needed to clarify relationships among inflammation markers and their expression in the fetal and neonatal circulation over time. Such studies would also add to our understanding of the possible role of chemokines in the pathophysiology of the major complications of the neonate, especially premature one.